Salvador Allende was one of the most inspiring and tragic figures in Latin America’s tumultuous twentieth century. Four decades after the infamous coup d’etat that ended in Allende’s death and ushered in 17 years of grim dictatorship under General Augusto Pinochet, Marcia Tambutti Allende’s heartfelt documentary addresses her family’s prolonged and agonizing silence while allowing filmgoers to get to know a more intimate side of one of Chile’s greatest heroes. Tambutti Allende’s personal need to trace her family’s intricate and painful past prompted this absorbing meditation on the many facets of her legendary grandfather.

Beyond My Grandfather Allende gracefully weaves together the memories of Allende’s close circle of friends and family members, most importantly his wife Hortensia, who, sadly, died during the final stages of the making of this film. Allende’s widow breaks her silence about her husband’s infidelities, helping Tambutti Allende to embrace and accept this man who was truly great, yet far from perfect. Salvador Allende was totally devoted to his family and his political ambitions. He was also, of course, a human being—with a complex and fascinating story. – Andres Castillo